Francesco Acerbi, Riccardo Orsolini, Davide Zappacosta, and Matteo Gabbia have all been recalled to the Italy squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Moldova.
With the Serie A season wrapped up, attention now shifts to the Azzurri as they prepare to begin their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Italy has been drawn into Group I alongside Norway, Moldova, Estonia, and Israel.
The campaign kicks off with a high-profile clash away to Erling Haaland’s Norway on Friday, June 6, followed by a home match against Moldova on Monday, June 9.
Inter veteran Acerbi, who turns 37 this year, returns to the national team after nearly two years. He last featured in the goalless draw against Ukraine in October 2023. His recall is seen as a strategic move by head coach Luciano Spalletti, who values Acerbi’s experience—particularly his proven success in marking Haaland, as seen in both the 2023 Champions League Final and earlier this season.
Orsolini is also back in the fold after a standout season with Bologna, scoring 17 goals and providing five assists in 40 appearances, capped by a Coppa Italia win. His last call-up came during friendlies ahead of EURO 2024.
Zappacosta returns for the first time since November 2021. The Atalanta winger, nearing his 33rd birthday, last played for Italy in September 2018. Milan’s 25-year-old defender Matteo Gabbia also rejoins the squad; while previously called up in October 2024, he has yet to make his senior debut.
The squad also includes a new face: Hellas Verona defender Diego Coppola earns his first senior call-up.
Due to Inter’s involvement in the Champions League Final on May 31, the six Inter players in the squad will report for duty starting June 2.
Italy Squad for World Cup Qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)
Defenders:
Francesco Acerbi (Inter), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Hellas Verona), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham), Davide Zappacosta (Atalanta)
Midfielders:
Nicolò Barella (Inter), Cesare Casadei (Torino), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Samuele Ricci (Torino), Nicolò Rovella (Lazio), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)
Forwards:
Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Lorenzo Lucca (Udinese), Daniel Maldini (Atalanta), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Atalanta)
